New Jersey Devils News

New Jersey's defensive game has struggled early in the 2025-26 season, allowing nine goals through two games (1-1-0), and will hope for better results with Allen between the pipes for the first time this season. The 35-year-old Allen had a sizable role as the Devils' backup last season, posting a 2.66 GAA, .906 SV%, and four shutouts in 31 appearances (13-16-1). The Devils enter Monday's contest as -119 road favorites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that had an offensive outburst on Saturday, defeating the Minnesota Wild 7-4 for their first win of the season.

Prolonged contract negotiations that didn't warrant a new contract for Evangelista until last week kept him out of the lineup in Nashville's season-opener on Thursday, but he will suit up on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. The 23-year-old Evangelista had 32 points (10G / 22A) in 68 games last season.

Coming off another stellar season, winning his third Vezina trophy in the last six seasons, posting an outstanding 2.00 GAA, .925SV%, and eight shutouts in 63 outings (47-12-3), Hellebuyck will tend the twine in Winnipeg's season opener against the Dallas Stars. Hellebuyck and the Jets were eliminated by the Stars in the second round of the playoffs and will hope to enact some revenge with a victory on Thursday. Winnipeg enters the contest as slight -101 home underdogs against Dallas.

Coming off another stellar season, winning his third Vezina trophy in the last six seasons, posting an outstanding 2.00 GAA, .925SV%, and eight shutouts in 63 outings (47-12-3), Hellebuyck will tend the twine in Winnipeg's season opener against the Dallas Stars. Hellebuyck and the Jets were eliminated by the Stars in the second round of the playoffs and will hope to enact some revenge with a victory on Thursday. Winnipeg enters the contest as slight -101 home underdogs against Dallas.

Pesce has practiced sparingly over the last week, recovering from an undisclosed injury, but will suit up for New Jersey's season opener on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old Pesce will look to improve after his first season with the Devils in 2024-25, averaging 21:19 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in 72 games.

Noesen missed the entire preseason, and head coach Sheldon Keefe did not have an update on his status, but did say he's "not close to being ready to play." Expect Noesen to open the season on IR.

Casey is expected to start the year on IR, and head coach Sheldon Keefe said he's "not expecting to see him back on skates anytime in the near future." Casey will miss some time and will likely open his season in the AHL.

Pesce is skating on his own, but the Devils aren't sure what his availability will be for the season opener on Thursday. The Devils should have several practices early next week, so Pesce's status should be well established prior to their game vs. Carolina.

There was no update on Pesce's status following his exit from Thursday's preseason game due to an undisclosed injury. The 30-year-old Pesce will look to improve after his first season with the Devils in 2024-25, averaging 21:19 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in 72 games.

After a long summer of back-and-forth contract negotiations, New Jersey and Luke Hughes have agreed to a seven-year extension worth $9 million AAV ($63M total). The 22-year-old was New Jersey's 2021 1st round pick (4th overall) and is entering his third full season with the Devils after putting up seven goals, 44 points and 121 SOG in 71 games played.

Devils' head coach Sheldon Keefe said that Noesen is progressing, but is not expected to see any preseason action. With Noesen injured, rookie Arseny Gritsyuk is likely to make the Devils roster out of training camp. At this point, consider Noesen doubtful to be ready for New Jersey's season opener on October 9th.

Hellebuyck left Winnipeg's skate on Monday after he "wasn't feeling quite right," but will suit up in Tuesday's preseason game in Minnesota. The 32-year-old reigning Vezina Trophy winner is coming off an impressive 47-12-3 season, with a 2.00 GAA and .925 SV%.

Hellebuyck left Winnipeg's skate on Monday after he "wasn't feeling quite right" and will now have his status up in the air for Tuesday's preseason game in Minnesota. The 32-year-old reigning Vezina Trophy winner is coming off an impressive 47-12-3 season, with a 2.00 GAA and .925 SV%. If he is forced to miss any time, Eric Comrie will be expected to fill in.

Kovacevic, who got hurt in the playoffs last season, underwent knee surgery over the summer and is still in the process of rehabbing. When the Devils opened training camp on Thursday, they announced that Kovacevic is out with no timetable for his return.